Natasha Brown has a decade of experience in financial services, following her mathematics studies at Cambridge University. Her debut novel, 'Assembly,' was developed after she received a 2019 London Writers Award in the literary fiction category. Her background informs her nuanced exploration of societal structures and individual agency within them. Brown's work is characterized by its precise prose and insightful commentary on contemporary life.
Set against the backdrop of an illegal rave on a Yorkshire farm, a brutal attack with a gold bar propels a young journalist into a web of intrigue. As she investigates, she uncovers connections between a corrupt banker, a provocative columnist, and a radical anarchist group. Her viral exposé reveals shocking truths but also raises unsettling questions about authorship and authenticity. The narrative delves into the power of language, exploring the complexities of communication and the hidden meanings behind words.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE FOLIO PRIZE 2022, GOLDSMITHS PRIZE 2021, BOOKS ARE MY BAG FICTION AWARD 2021, BETTY TRASK PRIZE 2022, and LONGLISTED FOR THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE 2022. Praised as "diamond-sharp, timely and urgent" by the Observer, this debut novel is both "subtle and scorching" (Vogue) and "virtuosic" (Guardian). It captures the essence of coming of age during the credit crunch, navigating a hostile environment while striving for societal acceptance. The protagonist, a Black British woman, prepares for a lavish garden party at her boyfriend's family estate, reflecting on her carefully constructed identity. As the event approaches, she grapples with whether to dismantle the pieces of herself that conform to societal expectations. Lauded as "exquisite and daring" by Bernardine Evaristo, the narrative is described as a blend of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and Claudia Rankine's Citizen, showcasing a profound exploration of contemporary Britain. With its bold originality and keen insight into the colonialist structures of British society, this remarkable debut is a must-read, promising to resonate long after the final page is turned.
